by Mel Jellison, KTA Member
Last year, our son Zack Jellison, of Scout Troop 44 in Edison, New Jersey, decided to build a nature trail as his Eagle Scout Project. In Colonia, New Jersey, Lynn Crest Elementary School has a large wooded parcel on its property. Having attended Lynn Crest for his elementary years, Zack wanted to give back to his school. The wooded lot is host to a variety of wildlife, including deer, fox, rabbits, squirrels, red tail hawks, and turkey.
Zack got all the approvals needed for his project and went to work. He designed the trail to meet the needs of elementary school children. The trail is a loop approximately 3/4 mile in length. Along the trail, identification plaques were placed on trees and shrubs. Also a trail-head kiosk was constructed and filled with educational materials for the school children to reference. Named the Lynn Crest Trail, it was quickly determined to be a huge success. The students and faculty - of Lynn Crest and other local schools - loved it!
Sadly, only three weeks after its dedication, the trail was hit hard by Super Storm Sandy. Many of the large trees fell and the trail was devastated, though luckily the trail-head kiosk remained standing. Amazingly, after local residents cleaned up their own properties, they returned to the trail to clear it once again. Thanks to their help and support, the trail was repaired and ready for use within only two weeks after the storm! Zack did leave a small section of the trail as Sandy left it, so that future students can see first-hand the damage a storm can cause.
Last fall, Zack was honored to have a Triple Crown thru-hiker come and walk his trail with him. That hiker - trail name "Lakeland Nidhatak" - is from Muncy Valley, PA. The "Triple Crown" refers to the three major U.S. hiking trails: The Pacific Crest Trail (2,654 miles long), the Appalachian Trail (2,184 miles long), and the Continental Divide Trail (3,100 miles long). In addition to these 7,900 miles, Lakeland also thru-hiked the 5,500-mile Eastern Continental Trail.
Zack's younger brother Jake, is also receiving the rank of Eagle. Although Jake's project is not trail related, Jake played a huge part in the successful completion of Zack's trail.
Jake's Eagle Project was the designing and installation of a paver walkway at a local middle school. This walkway was necessary so that students with physical handicaps could access the area to participate in flag ceremonies.
Zack and Jake have both backpacked since they were ten years old. This past August, our family backpacked the Loyalsock Trail near Muncy Valley, with thru-hiker Lakeland providing support. We can often be found on the Appalachian Trail; our family has hiked the New Jersey and New York sections, and we are currently in the process of hiking the Pennsylvania section. Next summer, we plan to complete the Maryland section. Zack, Jake, and I have many, many more miles of trail to cover!
Letters of Recognition from Keystone Trails Association:
Dear Zack,
It is my understanding that you have completed all of the requirements necessary to be awarded the rank of Eagle Scout, by designing and constructing a nature trail to benefit the students of a local elementary school. Congratulations on your accomplishment!
Becoming an Eagle Scout is an outstanding achievement that reflects your hard work, dedication, discipline, and integrity. Your service to your community has helped to make the world a better place; children need more places to explore and enjoy nature, and your project will help combat the so-called “Nature Deficit Disorder” plaguing children and youth throughout America.
The values that you have demonstrated through earning this highest rank of Boy Scouts have helped prepare you for a meaningful and exemplary life. Good luck in your future endeavors, and I wish you much success.